Bible Reading Reflection from Zechariah 7-14

 [Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (JAC) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]

ℤ𝔼ℂℍ𝔸ℝ𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟟:𝟡-𝟙𝟘

"Thus has the LORD of hosts said, 'Dispense true justice and practice kindness and compassion each to his brother;  and do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the stranger or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.'"

The people asked Zechariah, if they should proclaim a fasting and prayer program, and the prophet told them God didn't like such!

True religion is lived out, not just spoken out. People of Yahweh must be both Orthodox and Orthopractic (Right Doctrine and Right Practice). These Israelites were neither Orthodox nor Orthopractic.

Orthodoxy is fearing Yahweh who delivered them from the bondage of slavery, and orthopraxy is to not oppress their own brothers knowing the salvation of God. People of Yahweh should be forgiving, kind, gentle, helpful, and compassionate as the Lord is to them. Or else it is a dead profession of faith!

Is it not chilling to reflect upon our life as well: the requirements of Yahweh from us? O to be forgiving! O to be gracious!  O to be compassionate! O to be helping! O to walk worthy of Thy calling, Thy salvation, Thy gospel, take captive of our hearts, O Lord, our God!

 

ℤ𝔼ℂℍ𝔸ℝ𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟠:𝟚

"Thus says the LORD of hosts, 'I am exceedingly jealous for Zion, yes, with great wrath I am jealous for her.'"

Favourable jealousy of God towards Israel.

This chapter talks about the future. God in His jealousy poured out His wrath against His people to purge them from sins. And now He will be pouring out His wrath on others to bring His people back into His fold. His jealousy is demonstrated in two opposite ways: As much as dispersion and punishment were real, the gathering and prosperity of Israel will be real!

And v23, everyone will want to identify with them because of their God! When people see the goodness of God in us, they want to identify with us.

 

ℤ𝔼ℂℍ𝔸ℝ𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟡:𝟚, 𝟜

"And Hamath also, which borders on it; Tyre and Sidon, though they are very wise."

"Behold, the Lord will dispossess her And cast her wealth into the sea; And she will be consumed with fire."

God will humble the proud and mighty.

I think a day is coming when the Chinese will humble the proud Americans! Maybe in our lifetime. BTW, so glad to see Italy defeating England in the Euro Cup! I was not supporting Italy. I was cheering for the defeat of England!

Israel was humbled by Assyria. Assyria was humbled by Babylon. Babylon was humbled by Persia. Persia was humbled by Greece. After Greece, the Romans, after the Romans, the British, after the British, the Americans, now the wind seems to be blowing in China! If God chooses China to humble the Americans, I want to see it in my lifetime.

 

ℤ𝔼ℂℍ𝔸ℝ𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟙𝟘:𝟙

"Ask rain from the LORD at the time of the spring rain-- The LORD who makes the storm clouds; And He will give them showers of rain, vegetation in the field to each man."

Almighty God is ever ready to not only forgive but flourish us if we would just pray. This prayer presupposes acknowledgment of sins, repentance, and earnest seeking of God. Most human beings pray, but they do not have these three components in their prayer. BTW, it's an earnest prayer. E.M Bounds said that God answers no prayer only earnest prayer.

Footballer Ronaldo and Cricketer Virat Kohli said that if you want to win you have to be hungry for victory. Well, Christians can't afford to be ignorant arrogant fools, if we pray, let's be earnest for what we are praying for!

Even if we are earnest, even if we pray day and night, fasting and sacrificing our body itself, if Yahweh is not a forgiving God, there's no hearing of our prayers. And if Yahweh is not an Almighty All-good God, there's no answering of prayers.

But He is and He does. In fact, He works everything (and would even summon stars and shake heaven and earth) for the good of a believer!

 

ℤ𝔼ℂℍ𝔸ℝ𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟙𝟙:𝟙𝟚

"I said to them, "If it is good in your sight, give me my wages; but if not, never mind!" So they weighed out thirty shekels of silver as my wages."

Zechariah was given only 30 shekels of silver. He rejected and threw it away by the word of the Lord. It was a picture of Jewish leaders despising the true Shepherd, Jesus Christ. Treating Him as a worthless slave.

A story is told about Julius Caesar, abducted by pirates when he was 25 years old. The pirates demanded a ransom of 20 talents. Julius Caesar laughed at them and suggested they demand 50 talents. Julius Caesar knew he was worth more than that. He even told them that when they release him, he will hunt them down. They undermined him and released him. And it is said Julius Caesar hunted down every single one of them!

If the true Shepherd is despised, it's likely the under-shepherds will be despised too. If Jesus was worth only 30 shekels, no surprise how people will undermine the under-shepherds!

BTW, 1Talent = 3000 shekels. How insignificant was Jesus! Sold only for 30 shekels when Julius Caesar (even when he was young) was abducted for 60,000 shekels. And He raised his price to 1,50,000 shekels 😂. Would you do that if somebody kidnapped you? Asking them to demand more money to release you? 😀

Terrorists like Bin Laden are wanted for a million dollars. Jesus was wanted for just 30 shekels. So was Zechariah, the under-shepherd of Israel!

 

ℤ𝔼ℂℍ𝔸ℝ𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟙𝟚:𝟠

"On that day the LORD will protect the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the feeblest among them on that day shall be like David, and the house of David shall be like God, like the angel of the LORD, going before them."

This is good news. The present Israelis are not worth supporting. They are heathens like other people groups.

It is good, not even because their origin is written in the Bible. It is good because it is the faithfulness of God. It is about the power and goodness of God, nothing to admire about these Israelis.

This faithful Yahweh is my God too. He will shake heaven and earth to preserve and prosper His people when the time comes!

 

ℤ𝔼ℂℍ𝔸ℝ𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟙𝟛:𝟜-𝟝

"On that day every prophet will be ashamed of his vision when he prophesies. He will not put on a hairy cloak in order to deceive,  but he will say, 'I am no prophet, I am a worker of the soil, for a man sold me in my youth.'"

A day will come when people will hate false teaching that even false teachers will be afraid to continue their teaching publicly.

That day has not arrived yet.

Now, people aren't even educated enough about what is right and wrong. Only after they know, they can hate it!

May I always worship and praise You, Lord!

 

ℤ𝔼ℂℍ𝔸ℝ𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟙𝟜:𝟡

"And the LORD will be king over all the earth. On that day the LORD will be one and his name one."

In the end, our hope will be realized! And we will reign with Him.

That day, that day is nearer now than before!

Bible Reading Reflection from Zechariah 1-6

 [Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (JAC) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]

ℤ𝔼ℂℍ𝔸ℝ𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟙:𝟛

"Therefore say to them, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, "Return to Me," declares the LORD of hosts, "that I may return to you," says the LORD of hosts.’"

The first message of Jesus, the Son of God was "Repent, for the kingdom of God is near!" The first message of John the Baptist, the greatest prophet ever lived was "Repent, for the kingdom of God is near!" The first message of Zechariah is also a call to repentance, "Return to Yahweh!"

The thousand years of the history of Israel is a call to repentance. Because humans, even the best of man, the saints of Yahweh, the redeemed of God are sinners. There's always a call to repentance.

We have already repented. Done never to do again. Once and for all in terms of Justification (Salvation) but in our Christian living, we have to live a life of repentance always, which we call Sanctification. Battling sins. Turning away from known sins. Getting up when fallen.

 

ℤ𝔼ℂℍ𝔸ℝ𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟚:𝟙𝟙

"Many nations will join themselves to the LORD in that day and will become My people. Then I will dwell in your midst, and you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you."

God's grace is for all nations. God's Kingdom is for all people of the earth. People just need to be like Abraham: to believe in the promise of God.

Notice the tense in this verse and passage. It's future tense. It wasn't fulfilled at the time of this prophecy. It has never been fulfilled till today. There's no way it will be fulfilled in this present scenario. But it will come!

 

ℤ𝔼ℂℍ𝔸ℝ𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟛:𝟛-𝟜

“Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments and standing before the angel. He spoke and said to those who were standing before him, saying, ‘Remove the filthy garments from him.’ Again he said to him, ‘See, I have taken your iniquity away from you and will clothe you with festal robes.’”

This is the picture of God's cleansing: God's forgiving and accepting of sinners. Joshua wasn't told to remove his filthy garment. He can't. He didn't have the ability or capacity. He didn't even have the will, I would dare say so. And he wasn't told to put on the clean garment. He can't, wouldn't, and didn't have the ability and capacity.

Because this is a picture of justification before God. Specifically, the cleansing of the Israelites before God. Removing and Clothing was done by God. That's why we say, salvation is of God.

C. S. Lewis portrays for us a good analogy in his novel and movie "Chronicle of Narnia" when Edmund was turned into a golden Dragon for going astray. Aslan breathed upon him, burning his skin yet giving him life again. It was painful when his skin was burnt up! Similarly, Repentance, which is turning to God, is not an easy road. Painful but worth every bit of it.

BTW, once we are saved (justified) we are told to put on because we are made able now. Ephesians 4. That's why we are commanded to after God has made us alive, able, and active!

 

ℤ𝔼ℂℍ𝔸ℝ𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟜:𝟜-𝟝, 𝟙𝟚-𝟙𝟛

“Then I said to the angel who was speaking with me saying, ‘What are these, my lord?’ So the angel who was speaking with me answered and said to me, ‘Do you not know what these are?’ And I said, ‘No, my lord.’”

Last time I mentioned that Jesus has a way of answering a question with a question. You see, the angel also answered him with a question each time Zechariah asked, in this chapter! Zechariah should have replied in question too, right? 😂 Something like this: "Do you suppose me to know them, my lord?"😂

 

ℤ𝔼ℂℍ𝔸ℝ𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟝:𝟛

"Then he said to me, ‘This is the curse that is going forth over the face of the whole land; surely everyone who steals will be purged away according to the writing on one side, and everyone who swears will be purged away according to the writing on the other side.’"

When nobody is serious, even a diligent man gets discouraged and gives up. But God is not a man. He is not giving up His standard. If everyone sins, He will damn everyone. There's no escape from Him.

Notice the flying scroll for everyone to see. The curse, judgment is sure. Notice the word "everyone" "will be purged," there's no escape! And when wicked people are purged, symbolized by the women being taken away, blessed will be the land!

Don't we recall the pleasure and satisfaction and joy when we overcome sin and temptation; when sin is purged in our life?

A day will come when every sin and wickedness will be taken away from us, individually and from the land! What a glorious day that will be!

 

ℤ𝔼ℂℍ𝔸ℝ𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟞:𝟙𝟛

"Yes, it is He who will build the temple of the LORD, and He who will bear the honor and sit and rule on His throne. Thus, He will be a priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace will be between the two offices."

Prophesying about the Coming reign of Jesus Christ. He is both the Priest and King! That day has not been realized yet. That day will come.

This prophecy is interesting. It's given in the context of judgment. Because in the end evil shall not be the last chapter, even it be, it's about its destruction. Righteousness must triumph in the end.

The leaders of Israelites, both the kings and priests had led the people astray. And the people themselves had been equally disobeying God. They needed a judgment. But if they all would be killed, where would be the power of God? It would look like a triumph to the devil.

God always has a remnant like Lot in Sodom, Daniel in a pagan land, and Joseph in Potiphar's home. And Messiah will rule over them. Wicked people will be purged. The righteous will multiply, dominate the earth, and reign with Christ!

Bible Reading Reflection from Haggai 1-2

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (JAC) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible] 

ℍ𝔸𝔾𝔾𝔸𝕀 𝟙:𝟚-𝟝

" . . .This people says, "The time has not come, even the time for the house of the LORD to be rebuilt." Then the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, saying, "Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this house lies desolate?" ". . .Consider your ways!"

The book of Nehemiah and Ezra gives us the background of Haggai's message. Many preachers in Manipur misapplied the message of Haggai to construct their church buildings. And they'd even use strong words like Haggai, but they failed to understand the context.

In today's post, let's see the situation of the people more accurately, contrary to many preachers who pictured them as worthless materialistic people.

Nehemiah 11 reveals that it took a great sacrifice and commitment to return to Jerusalem. They had a comfortable life, home, family in exile; who would want to go back to the old city of Jerusalem which was in ruin? Those dwellers of Jerusalem were highly determined people. Nehemiah lived later than Haggai, so by the time of Haggai, the situation could be more difficult.

Ezra 4 reveals that there was great opposition against the rebuilding. They even hired lawyers and local politicians to stop the construction. So, obviously, people would think that perhaps it was not the right time to build. Look at our times, churches have been shut off for almost 2 years and people think it's not the right time to come to church because the government has imposed a lockdown.

And the enemies of Jews were ready to pounce upon them. God raised up Haggai to encourage them to rebuild in this situation. They did and the building was completed. We (Christians of our times) are far worse, more materialistic, less enthusiastic, and have misplaced our priorities more than the Jews of Haggai's time.

If we have the opposition and persecution of Haggai's time, only a few among 2.3 billion Christians will cling to Christianity. Even the coronavirus has revealed to us who loves the family of God and who doesn't belong!

 

ℍ𝔸𝔾𝔾𝔸𝕀 𝟚:𝟠

"'The silver is Mine and the gold is Mine,' declares the LORD of hosts."

The Jews were poor, especially traveling a long journey from their homes in exile to this ruined city to rebuild. Even if they were rich in their homes, carrying luggage on donkeys' backs and walking under the sun for many days and nights wasn't easy.

Whatever they had, they had to contribute and restore the glory of the temple. And this verse came to them as an assurance, encouragement, and exhortation that God is the creator and possessor of all things.

William Carey said, "Expect Great Things From God and Attempt Great Things For God"

A story is also told about a church that was desperately needing a sum of money for some work. In an elder meeting, one elder got up and prayed, "Lord, You are rich. You owned all the cattle in the hills. Provide our needs!" The next day, their needs were met by a guy who sold his cattle! 😇😂

Indeed, God owns everything. Would we experience that every single day of our life! O Lord, I pray!

Bible Reading Reflection from Zephaniah 1-3

 [Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (JAC) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]

ℤ𝔼ℙℍ𝔸ℕ𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟙:𝟟

"Be silent before the Lord GOD! For the day of the LORD is near, For the LORD has prepared a sacrifice, He has consecrated His guests."

It's most appropriate to be silent before the mighty God. Everyone will be silent in awe of God's judgment.

Even in our experience, when we are very afraid, we lost even our sound (voice). I remember when I was a child there were many times, I was afraid of ghosts. And I didn't dare even to shout out for help.

 

ℤ𝔼ℙℍ𝔸ℕ𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟚:𝟛

"Seek the LORD, All you humble of the earth Who have carried out His ordinances; Seek righteousness, seek humility. Perhaps you will be hidden In the day of the LORD'S anger."

What a terrible judgment is laid out in chapter 2! But in it, God puts a ray of hope, a light on, for salvation.

Our God is indeed a Saviour. The meaning of our Lord "Jesus" is God saves. God always sends out good news even with a most devastating message. In fact, the good news is good because all other news is bad.

That's one of the reasons why we talk about bad news (that man is a sinner and shall die in his sin) before we give the good news of salvation (that Jesus came to save us).

 

ℤ𝔼ℙℍ𝔸ℕ𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟛:𝟙𝟛

"The remnant of Israel will do no wrong And tell no lies, Nor will a deceitful tongue Be found in their mouths; For they will feed and lie down With no one to make them tremble."

The remnants are the saved ones. They are righteous and godly. They will have a life of peace.

Zephaniah was talking about physical salvation (from invaders and enemies), but that's the picture of real salvation too.

Righteousness, Godliness, and Peaceful Life are the indicators of saved ones! Yes, theoretically (position before God) and practically (every day of our real life). Let's claim them!